Change wallpaper

[T-Cell]

Hi, I'm using Kubuntu 7.04.
I was wondering how you can change your background.
When I choose "configure desktop" by clicking right on the desktop, the changes I apply have no effect.
It does work though when I'm logged in as root.

[jankushka]

Re: Change wallpaper

could be an ownership/permission issue.
pls, log in with your normal user, open up a konsole, execute the following command

find . ! -user yourusername exec ls -ld {} \;

then post the result back here.
cheers

[T-Cell]

Re: Change wallpaper

I'm afraid there is something not right with that command, the result is:

find: paths must precede expression
usage: find [-H] [-L] [-P] [path...] [expression]

[jankushka]

Re: Change wallpaper

sorry.
try now...

find . ! -user yourusername -exec ls -ld {} \;

[T-Cell]

Re: Change wallpaper

There is no match.

EDIT: Ok, when executed in the home directory, I get this as result:

drwxr-xr-x 4 root root 4096 2007-07-13 15:01 .
lrwxrwxrwx 1 root root 44 2007-07-12 16:51 ./.directory -> /etc/kubuntu-default-settings/directory-home
drwxr-xr-x 12 root root 4096 2007-04-23 16:45 ./root
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root 2298 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/.bashrc
drwxr-xr-x 7 root root 4096 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/cellsdk21
dr-xr-xr-x 3 root root 4096 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/cellsdk21/pdfs
-r--r--r-- 1 root root 4192644 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/cellsdk21/pdfs/CBE_Tutorial_v2.1_1March2007.pdf
-r--r--r-- 1 root root 257576 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/cellsdk21/pdfs/Feldkamp_Algorithm_for_medical_imaging_on_Cell.pdf
-r--r--r-- 1 root root 4312399 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/cellsdk21/pdfs/vector_simd_pem_v_2.06c_30Sept2005_cell.pdf
-r--r--r-- 1 root root 362907 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/cellsdk21/pdfs/Introduction_to_Cell_Multiprocessor.pdf
-r-xr-xr-x 1 root root 346829 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/cellsdk21/pdfs/SystemSim.PerfAnalysis.Guide.pdf
-r--r--r-- 1 root root 398357 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/cellsdk21/pdfs/cpbsdk00.pdf
-r--r--r-- 1 root root 1112976 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/cellsdk21/pdfs/cpsimd.pdf
-r--r--r-- 1 root root 2088663 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/cellsdk21/pdfs/libraries_SDK.pdf
-r--r--r-- 1 root root 1727481 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/cellsdk21/pdfs/PPC_Vers202_Book1_public.pdf
-r--r--r-- 1 root root 393020 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/cellsdk21/pdfs/SPU_ABI-Specification_1.7.pdf
-r--r--r-- 1 root root 359596 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/cellsdk21/pdfs/LIBSPE2Migration-20070322.pdf
-r--r--r-- 1 root root 5201693 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/cellsdk21/pdfs/cpbwhw00.pdf
-r--r--r-- 1 root root 1303286 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/cellsdk21/pdfs/2053_IBM_CellIntro.pdf
-r--r--r-- 1 root root 191154 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/cellsdk21/pdfs/2056_IBM_TRE.pdf
-r--r--r-- 1 root root 479819 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/cellsdk21/pdfs/PPC_Vers202_Book2_public.pdf
-r--r--r-- 1 root root 42986 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/cellsdk21/pdfs/GSPx_CellSecurityArch.ibm.pdf
-r--r--r-- 1 root root 90682 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/cellsdk21/pdfs/idl.pdf
-r--r--r-- 1 root root 803447 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/cellsdk21/pdfs/ALFProgrammersGuideAndAPIRef_v1.1.pdf
-r--r--r-- 1 root root 82993 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/cellsdk21/pdfs/fdpr_linux_man.pdf
-r--r--r-- 1 root root 410882 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/cellsdk21/pdfs/SIMD_Library_Specification_for_CBEA.v1.0.pdf
-r--r--r-- 1 root root 5943523 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/cellsdk21/pdfs/CBEA_v1.01_3Oct2006.pdf
-r--r--r-- 1 root root 208274 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/cellsdk21/pdfs/SPU_Assembly_Language_Spec_1.5.pdf
-r--r--r-- 1 root root 1893376 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/cellsdk21/pdfs/cpbprg00.pdf
-r--r--r-- 1 root root 2978622 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/cellsdk21/pdfs/SPU_ISA_v1.11_4Oct2006.pdf
-r--r--r-- 1 root root 1257991 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/cellsdk21/pdfs/PPC_Vers202_Book3_public.pdf
-r--r--r-- 1 root root 9998687 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/cellsdk21/pdfs/BE_Handbook_v1.0_10May2006.pdf
-r--r--r-- 1 root root 155440 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/cellsdk21/pdfs/QS20_Datasheet.pdf
-r--r--r-- 1 root root 172441 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/cellsdk21/pdfs/libspe_v1.2.pdf
-r--r--r-- 1 root root 624349 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/cellsdk21/pdfs/cplibspe.pdf
-r-xr-xr-x 1 root root 2086191 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/cellsdk21/pdfs/SystemSim.Users.Guide.pdf
-r--r--r-- 1 root root 636729 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/cellsdk21/pdfs/Language_Extensions_for_CBEA_2.4.pdf
-r-xr-xr-x 1 root root 2207724 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/cellsdk21/pdfs/SystemSim_CmdRef.pdf
-r--r--r-- 1 root root 2978843 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/cellsdk21/pdfs/CBE_Public_Registers_v1.4_05JUL2006.pdf
-r--r--r-- 1 root root 390330 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/cellsdk21/pdfs/RapidMind_Raytracer_Demo.pdf
-r--r--r-- 1 root root 75376 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/cellsdk21/pdfs/GSPx_FFT_paper_legal_0115.pdf
-r--r--r-- 1 root root 186544 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/cellsdk21/pdfs/CBE_LINUX_ABI_1.1.pdf
dr-xr-xr-x 2 root root 4096 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/cellsdk21/pdfs/xlc
-r--r--r-- 1 root root 4274910 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/cellsdk21/pdfs/xlc/langref.pdf
-r--r--r-- 1 root root 773831 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/cellsdk21/pdfs/xlc/proguide.pdf
-r--r--r-- 1 root root 2655708 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/cellsdk21/pdfs/xlc/compiler.pdf
-r--r--r-- 1 root root 342045 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/cellsdk21/pdfs/xlc/getstart.pdf
-r--r--r-- 1 root root 272470 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/cellsdk21/pdfs/xlc/install.pdf
-r--r--r-- 1 root root 5159777 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/cellsdk21/pdfs/cpdsb00.pdf
dr-xr-xr-x 2 root root 4096 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/cellsdk21/css
-r--r--r-- 1 root root 7194 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/cellsdk21/css/styles.css
-r--r--r-- 1 root root 211 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/cellsdk21/css/screen.css
dr-xr-xr-x 2 root root 4096 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/cellsdk21/media
-r--r--r-- 1 root root 69004121 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/cellsdk21/media/rainier_comboh264.mp4
dr-xr-xr-x 2 root root 4096 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/cellsdk21/html
-r--r--r-- 1 root root 49555 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/cellsdk21/html/ILAR_VPA.html
-r--r--r-- 1 root root 45873 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/cellsdk21/html/ILAR_IDE.html
-r--r--r-- 1 root root 3982 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/cellsdk21/html/bsd.html
-r--r--r-- 1 root root 47179 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/cellsdk21/html/ILAR_MASS.html
-r--r--r-- 1 root root 4181 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/cellsdk21/html/how_to_get_started.html
-r--r--r-- 1 root root 15539 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/cellsdk21/html/os-cpl.html
-r--r--r-- 1 root root 4627 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/cellsdk21/html/tre_demo_movie.html
-r--r--r-- 1 root root 6215 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/cellsdk21/html/licenses.html
-r--r--r-- 1 root root 5147 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/cellsdk21/html/cbe_news.html
-r--r--r-- 1 root root 4050 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/cellsdk21/html/index.html
-r--r--r-- 1 root root 4615 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/cellsdk21/html/cbe_technical_articles.html
-r--r--r-- 1 root root 5361 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/cellsdk21/html/cbe_install_ide.html
-r--r--r-- 1 root root 48989 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/cellsdk21/html/ILAR_XLC.html
-r--r--r-- 1 root root 49729 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/cellsdk21/html/ILAR.html
-r--r--r-- 1 root root 9541 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/cellsdk21/html/cbe_standard_documentation.html
-r--r--r-- 1 root root 4464 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/cellsdk21/html/cbe_web_links.html
dr-xr-xr-x 3 root root 4096 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/cellsdk21/images
-r--r--r-- 1 root root 1017 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/cellsdk21/images/developer_works.gif
-r--r--r-- 1 root root 346 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/cellsdk21/images/top_bk.jpg
-r--r--r-- 1 root root 54 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/cellsdk21/images/externalLink_black.gif
-r--r--r-- 1 root root 380 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/cellsdk21/images/bottom_bk.jpg
-r--r--r-- 1 root root 6717 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/cellsdk21/images/inner_top_gradient.jpg
-r--r--r-- 1 root root 56 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/cellsdk21/images/arrow.gif
-r--r--r-- 1 root root 5804 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/cellsdk21/images/inner_bottom_gradient.jpg
-r--r--r-- 1 root root 824 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/cellsdk21/images/alphaworks.gif
-r--r--r-- 1 root root 759 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/cellsdk21/images/pdf_icon.gif
-r--r--r-- 1 root root 43 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/cellsdk21/images/spacer.gif
dr-xr-xr-x 2 root root 4096 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/cellsdk21/images/nav
-r--r--r-- 1 root root 5467 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/cellsdk21/images/nav/cbe_standard_doc.jpg
-r--r--r-- 1 root root 5693 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/cellsdk21/images/nav/cbe_news.jpg
-r--r--r-- 1 root root 6283 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/cellsdk21/images/nav/overview.jpg
-r--r--r-- 1 root root 6361 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/cellsdk21/images/nav/tre_demo.jpg
-r--r--r-- 1 root root 6761 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/cellsdk21/images/nav/howto.jpg
-r--r--r-- 1 root root 6474 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/cellsdk21/images/nav/cbe_web.jpg
-r--r--r-- 1 root root 6358 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/cellsdk21/images/nav/cbe_software.jpg
-r--r--r-- 1 root root 6722 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/cellsdk21/images/nav/powerpc.jpg
-r--r--r-- 1 root root 3795 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/cellsdk21/images/nav/licenses.jpg
-r--r--r-- 1 root root 7670 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/cellsdk21/images/nav/cbe_tech_articles.jpg
-r--r--r-- 1 root root 9236 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/cellsdk21/images/cd_name.jpg
-r--r--r-- 1 root root 5068 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/cellsdk21/images/microchip.jpg
-r--r--r-- 1 root root 1074 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/cellsdk21/images/more_info.gif
-r--r--r-- 1 root root 17005 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/cellsdk21/images/kids.jpg
-r--r--r-- 1 root root 66 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/cellsdk21/images/externalLink.gif
-r--r--r-- 1 root root 3103 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/cellsdk21/images/play_movie.gif
-r--r--r-- 1 root root 1936 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/cellsdk21/images/ibm.jpg
drwx------ 2 root root 4096 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/.gconfd
find: ./root/.gconfd: Permission denied
drwx------ 2 root root 4096 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/Desktop
find: ./root/Desktop: Permission denied
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root 25509 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/.gtk_qt_engine_rc
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root 566 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/.profile
-rw------- 1 root root 269 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/.Xauthority
drwx------ 3 root root 4096 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/.local
find: ./root/.local: Permission denied
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root 220 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/.bash_logout
drwx------ 2 root root 4096 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/.gconf
find: ./root/.gconf: Permission denied
drwx------ 2 root root 4096 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/.mozilla
find: ./root/.mozilla: Permission denied
-rw------- 1 root root 0 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/.ICEauthority
drwxr-xr-x 3 root root 4096 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/.mcop
drwxr-xr-x 2 root root 4096 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/.mcop/trader-cache
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root 30 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/.mcop/trader-cache/cache-data-version
-rw------- 1 root root 32 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/.mcop/random-seed
drwxr-xr-x 2 root root 4096 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/.qt
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root 1056 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/.qt/qtrc
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root 848 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/.qt/qt_plugins_3.3rc
-rw------- 1 root root 0 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/.qt/.qt_plugins_3.3rc.lock
-rw------- 1 root root 0 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/.qt/.qtrc.lock
drwx------ 5 root root 4096 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/.kde
find: ./root/.kde: Permission denied
-rw------- 1 root root 26 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/.dmrc
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root 285 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/.gtkrc-2.0-kde
drwxr-xr-x 2 root root 4096 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/.celluntu
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root 430681 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/.celluntu/T-Cell_logo.svg

[jankushka]

Re: Change wallpaper

Okay, there is no result then. Honestly, it's like nothing happens.

good and bad.
it means all the files in your home directory belong to you.
which is ok.
though, i would have expected something slightly different.
i would have expected some relevant configuration file to belong to someone other than you.

all right, then.
need to go about it differently, then.
you could try to hit alt-f2, then enter the following command:

kcontrol

then "apprearance&themes" and then "background".
try from there.
i don't expect anything to change, but let's have a go...

also...
kde writes a configuration directory in your home directory called .kde.
pls, check that for me from a konsole:

cd
ls -ld .kde

and pls check kdesktop's configuration file:

ls -l .kde/share/config/kdesktoprc

how long have you used kde for now?
i mean, is it a fresh installation?
was this particular feature working and then suddenly stopped?

[T-Cell]

Re: Change wallpaper

It's a fresh install from 2 days ago.
I can't find that config file, it says "ls: .kde: no such file or directory"

[penguin.ch]

Re: Change wallpaper

In addition, launching the appropriate control module directly from the console might result in some useful error messages:

USER # kcmshell background

[T-Cell]

Re: Change wallpaper

Ok, I found a few .kde files not using the konsole, but the find files/folders window. :P

I changed them permissions under root login. But it still doesn't work.

[jankushka]

Re: Change wallpaper

It's a fresh install from 2 days ago.

good.

I can't find that config file, it says "ls: .kde: no such file or directory"

it's got to be there.
pls, in the "system menu", click on "home folder"
your file manager will start up.
look for a folder called ".kde".
it's got to be there on the "first level".
since the folder's name starts with a dot, you might not see it.
assuming your file manager is konqueror, click on "view", then "show hidden files".
when you find it, rename it to ".kde.orig".
then hit ctrl-alt-backspace (don't log out, just hit ctrl-alt-backspace).
your graphical server will restart, throwing you back to the kdm login menu.
upon login, the default kde configuration wizard will start again, thus recreating the configuration directories and files structure.
this is a sort of extreme measure, but it must sort things out.
and the original .kde directory is still there anyway, so you can revert to it if needed.

hth

[T-Cell]

Re: Change wallpaper

Ok, thanks a bunch. I can change my wallpaper now

But what did I do exactly? And how can I revert back to the original configuration. It seems that I have lost a few settings now.

[jankushka]

Re: Change wallpaper

Ok, thanks a bunch. I can change my wallpaper now

good.

But what did I do exactly? And how can I revert back to the original configuration. It seems that I have lost a few settings now.

yeah, the customizations you have done in these 2 days have been lost.
you'll have to redo them.
hopefully it's not a lot of stuff...it really shouldn't.
and you should have lost some settings, not data...
or...can you tell me exactly what was lost?

now, what did you do exactly?
alright...
when kde starts up after login, it will look for its configuration folder (.kde) and all its configuration files.
we have renamed kde's configuration folder from ".kde" to ".kde.orig".
actually tricking kde into thinking it was the first time it started up.
kde thus started the "first time configuration wizard", which creates the .kde folder and the files therein.

now, the old configuration stuff is still there in ".kde.orig".
the new configuration stuff is in ".kde".

you can inspect the two folders and their files with the file manager.
try and find the differences that prevented the wallpaper thing to work.
though, there will be quite a bit of stuff in there.

from the investigations we carried out earlier we saw that the "kdesktoprc" file was missing from the original configuration folder.

it might be that copying the newly created one back to the old hierarchy and then reverting to the old config will solve the problem.

if you want to revert to the old configuration, just rename the relevant folders like so:
a) ".kde" to ".kde.new" (so you don't lose this new working one) and
b) ".kde.orig" to ".kde"
then restart the graphical env by hitting ctrl-alt-backspace

it's a lot of stuff to explain in one post.
hope i have been able to put things across alright.

cheers

[jankushka]

Re: Change wallpaper

your edited post tells me there's some misunderstanding...

this is only a partial quote of your post...

.drwxr-xr-x 4 root root 4096 2007-07-13 15:01 .
lrwxrwxrwx 1 root root 44 2007-07-12 16:51 ./.directory -> /etc/kubuntu-default-settings/directory-home
drwxr-xr-x 12 root root 4096 2007-04-23 16:45 ./root
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root 2298 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/.bashrc
drwxr-xr-x 7 root root 4096 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/cellsdk21
dr-xr-xr-x 3 root root 4096 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/cellsdk21/pdfs
-r--r--r-- 1 root root 4192644 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/cellsdk21/pdfs/CBE_Tutorial_v2.1_1March2007.pdf
-r--r--r-- 1 root root 257576 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/cellsdk21/pdfs/Feldkamp_Algorithm_for_medical_imaging_on_Cell.pdf
-r--r--r-- 1 root root 4312399 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/cellsdk21/pdfs/vector_simd_pem_v_2.06c_30Sept2005_cell.pdf
-r--r--r-- 1 root root 362907 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/cellsdk21/pdfs/Introduction_to_Cell_Multiprocessor.pdf
-r-xr-xr-x 1 root root 346829 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/cellsdk21/pdfs/SystemSim.PerfAnalysis.Guide.pdf
-r--r--r-- 1 root root 398357 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/cellsdk21/pdfs/cpbsdk00.pdf
-r--r--r-- 1 root root 1112976 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/cellsdk21/pdfs/cpsimd.pdf
-r--r--r-- 1 root root 2088663 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/cellsdk21/pdfs/libraries_SDK.pdf
-r--r--r-- 1 root root 1727481 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/cellsdk21/pdfs/PPC_Vers202_Book1_public.pdf
-r--r--r-- 1 root root 393020 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/cellsdk21/pdfs/SPU_ABI-Specification_1.7.pdf
-r--r--r-- 1 root root 359596 2007-04-23 16:43 ./root/cellsdk21/pdfs/LIBSPE2Migration-20070322.pdf
...

the directories and files hierarchy is like a tree but upsidedown.
every branch is marked by a / character.
the very first / is referrend to as the root directory, not the home directory.
a home directory is something relative to a user.
users home directories are normally created under /home.
the home directory for your user will therefore be /home/youruser.
the only exception is user root, the omniscient administrator.
user root is sometimes referred to as the super user.
it's home directory is created directly under the root of the tree.
but the user name is also root, thus its home directory will be /root.
but direct login with user root is disabled on *ubuntu systems.
you shouldn't really even have a password for it.
administration tasks are sometimes needed.
but all the graphical tools will ask for your password first to carry out those.
thus allowing your (normal/regular) user to gain administration privileges temporarily.
other than these situations, you shouldn't be working with administrator's privileges.
i tell you this also 'cause i see you have cellsdk21 stuff under the root user home directory.
and that's kinda funny (i mean, funny-strange, not funny-ah-ah).

hth